I update the American Casino Guide (ACG) each year with information on all U.S. casino/resorts, riverboats, and Indian casinos. The 2014 edition covers more than 700 casinos in 41 states and is loaded with pertinent details on each casino: their toll-free numbers, web site addresses, and room rates, buffet prices, casino size, casino games offered, and any special features of that particular property. There are maps of each state showing where the casinos are located, plus detailed maps of five major gaming cities: Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, Biloxi, and Tunica.

For casino players interested in playing slot machines, the ACG also includes the slot payback percentage for every state where the information is made available. You’ll also learn which states’ gambling differs from other states. For example, Native American casinos in Montana are only allowed to offer class-II gaming machines that are based on bingo games and the results of the spinning reels are for "entertainment purposes only." Another example is the pari-mutuels in New York. The video poker on their Video Gaming Machines resembles video poker, but there is no skill involved as these machines have a predetermined number of winners, similar to a scratch-off lottery ticket (you’ll want to avoid those machines).

The main reason that players really enjoy this book is all of the money-saving, cut-out coupons located in the back pages of the book. For 2014, we have a whopping 216 money-saving coupons that can be used in many casinos throughout the U.S. (However, the majority is for the Las Vegas area.) These include 2-for-1 buffets, 2-for-1 show tickets, free drinks, special room rates, and most importantly, many gambling coupons. By using just a few of the coupons, you’ll recoup the cost of the book.

Here is a sample of the blackjack and video poker coupons in the 2014 ACG for Las Vegas.

Get out of blackjack hand for free at The D ($25 max bet)

$25 matchplay for new members only at Golden Gate

$25 matchplay for new members only at The D

$10 matchplay at Las Vegas Club

$10 matchplay at The Orleans

$10 matchplay at The Palms

$10 matchplay at The Riviera

$5 matchplay at ONE of the following: Lucky Club, Silver Nugget, or Opera House

$5 matchplay at Ellis Island

$5 matchplay at Bighorn

$5 matchplay at Jerry’s Nugget

$5 matchplay at Longhorn

$5 matchplay at Gold Coast

$5 matchplay at Las Vegas Club

$5 matchplay at the Rampart

$10 in free slot play at El Cortez for new and returning members

$5 in free slot play at Club Fortune Casino

$5 in free slot play at Las Vegas Club for new and returning members

$5 in free slot play at the Plaza for new and returning members

$5 in free slot play at Gold Coast for new members only

$5 in free slot play at the Silverton for new members only

$5 in free slot play at South Point for new members only

$10 in free slot play at Golden Nugget for new members only

$10 in free slot play at The Palms for new members only

Play $10 get up to $100 in free play at Ellis Island

Play $10 get $10 in free play at The Orleans

Play $25, get $10 freeplay for new members only at ONE of the following: California, Fremont or Main Street

Earn 200 points get $25 in free play for new members at Golden Gate

Earn $5 in free play for every 50 points earned (up to $100) at The D

Just remember that many of these gambling coupons have restrictions (e.g., most of the matchplay coupons can only be used once per calendar year). They also require that you are a member of the casino’s players club before you can use them.

There are also coupons for other regions of the country. For example, in Atlantic City, you can buy dinner at the Atlantic Club and get $10 in free play, and in Lake Tahoe, you can receive $10 matchplay or $10 in free play at the Grand Lodge Casino if you are a new slot club member.

The 2014 ACG also features coupon offers for South Florida casinos. You’ll get $25 free play for new members at The Isle Pompano Park, and $10 in free play for new and current members at Mardi Gras Casino.

One final note about the book: it also contains 114 pages of how-to-play-and-win articles. The most popular table games of blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat are covered in detail, as well as tips for playing the slot machines and video poker. You’ll find all the details on how to properly play these games, plus information on the best strategies for winning. Therefore, after you use all the money-saving coupons in the book, you will still have a good reference book for your gambling library.

Here is a sample of the articles in the first section of the book:

Your Best Casino Bets by Henry Tamburin

Players Clubs and Comps by Steve Bourie

Las Vegas Resort Fees by Dewey Hill

Slot Machines by Steve Bourie

Slot Machine Trends by John Grochowski

Video Poker by Steve Bourie
"Not So Ugly Deuces" Optimum Strategy by Steve Bourie

The Government’s Interest in your Gambling by Jean Scott

Video Poker: Game Selection and Strategy by Linda Boyd

Say No! To 6-5 Blackjack Games by Henry Tamburin

I think you’ll agree with the critics who say: